THE GOLD SYNDICATE NOVEL

 

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DREAM

The river was flooded and its flow was terrible, but I had no choice. I jumped into the river and left myself to the mercy of its current, which swept me several meters along with it in a few seconds. Then I started swimming across the river with my full might. I wanted to escape and reach a safe place. I could hear the firing sound of the guns coming from the jungle I left behind. I looked up ahead and guessed that I had to cover half a mile to reach the other bank of the river. I started swimming hard to reach the other side of the river faster. Suddenly I felt myself heavy. Then I realized, I had jumped into the water with all my clothes and shoes on. But I continued to swim and in half an hour I was lying there in the sand along the opposite bank of the river exhausted. A few yards away from the bank there were thick clusters of bushes. I stood and ran to the bushes to hide myself behind them. Reaching there a thought flashed in my mind. I asked myself, from whom I was running away. Suddenly my sleep was broken. I was lying in my berth in a second class AC compartment of a Delhi bound train. I was going to Delhi from Jhansi and at that moment the train was running over a bridge. I was going to Delhi for a job interview.

The train, which brought me to Delhi reached there around 8AM. For the sake of economy of money and time I finished my morning ablutions in the washroom of my train compartment and got ready for the interview. The interview was for the post of officer trainee in a petroleum company. Its office was in Connaught place. The interview was good but I understood that my chances of selection were few as I was just a graduate. There were many candidates, who were having a post graduate degree plus an MBA. Above all that I was not fluent in speaking English as I had studied in the vernacular medium. This proved AnAchilles heelof mine. To get a good job either you ought to be extraordinarily talented or you had to be fluent in English. I passed many written examinations for higher jobs but failed in interviews for this weakness or at least I thought so. But many Indians will agree with me on this point.

After the interview I came to a nearby bus stand and stood there waiting for a bus to go to R. K. Puram, a place in New Delhi to see one, of my cousins, who lived there.

2

AGHAST

After appearing for the interview I was waiting for a bus to go to the R K Puram to meet one of my cousins,who lived there. When I was standing there, a man drew my attention He was a middle aged man. He was talking with the Panwala (Betel leaf vendor). The betel leaf vendor appeared to be acquainted with him. My attention was drawn to him for his secretive way of talking to the Panwala and the queer way of looking towards me while talking. There was a look of fear in his eyes. He was talking about fear only.

Perhaps it was not prudent to take interest in a stranger in an unknown place but I could not help it. I started to watch him.

Suddenly we had an eye contact. He came a bit closer to me and started talking with me.

He said, ” brother, I am too much afraid.”

I was pretty surprised by that.

He further spoke, “what will happen next?”

I asked him about what was that he was afraid of. I jokingly asked him if he was afraid of death.

He replied, “ Better if I die. I think too much, but cannot find an answer. What will happen to my life?” Having said that he turned serious.

He remained silent for a while and then suddenly spoke to me” sir, can you help me?”

I turned cautious and apprehensive of him. I doubted that he wanted to exact some money from me. Still, I asked him “how can I help you?”

“Will you come with me to my house?”was his next question.

I doubted his intentions, but my curiosity about him increased.

By his appearance, neither he looked insane nor a crook.

I asked him” why do you want to take me home?

“My soul is telling me that you can help me” he replied.

I started thinking. I had simultaneous feelings of curiosity, apprehension, fear and compassion. Finally, curiosity won me over. I decided to follow him.

On the way to his residence I talked to him and gathered some information about him. His name was Harendar. He was working as a clerk in a state government department. He had one daughter named Pummy and three sons Bunty, Chhotu and Monu.

While walking along with him I was cogitating about the situation, which I might be facing on reaching his home. How was I going to be received there?

I did not have much time to think about it.. His house was not really far. Within five to seven minutes we reached there.

We found the doors of his house open. For a moment, I hesitated to enter his house. He first went inside and asked me, "please come in." I entered there. That was his drawing room. His three sons were sitting there watching television, which was placed in a corner. His three sons were close to about fifteen, ten and seven years of age. On seeing me, they said, “Namaste with folded hands." I responded in the same way. The two younger boys went inside. The eldest son went on to view TV.

Harendar made me sit in a chair away from the TV and dragged a chair, placing it opposite me and sat in that chair facing me. I looked all around the room. The room was not large, but was neat and comfortable. The Room’s walls were adorned with the calendars and photos of various gods, goddesses and hermits. There were two windows opening towards the road in front of the house. There were no curtains at the front door and windows. There was a door backside opening into the inner portion of the house. This door had a curtain. Above this door there hung a pendulum wall clock.

He was sitting quiet. His head was down, and he was looking at his palms.

Suddenly he jumped off his chair. Looking at the wall clock he asked his son “has Pummy come?” Son answered in the negative.

He looked very concerned and worried. He uttered” She should have come by now”.

He became restless. He stood up from the chair, went to the door, looked outside and came back to the chair.

I was feeling awkward there. I was unable to justify my being there in his house for whatever cause. Furthermore, there was no strong reason of my being there except that the long period of my unemployment has given me a sense of being in a state of permanent leisure. I had nothing urgent to do and nowhere to reach. I was a free man. He produced a suspense by his unusual demeanor and talk, and I accompanied him there.

“What do you think? Can the government catch the terrorists?” He asked me.

Before I could say anything he started speaking” Nothing can be done sir. They come like apparitions, put bombs anywhere and escape. They appear from nowhere, shower bullets and disappear. I have witnessed with my own eyes charred dead bodies of two young children following a bomb explosion at a nearby bus stop.”

“Bunty! Where are Chhotu and Monu?”He asked Bunty his eldest son where was his two younger sons then.

“They are inside with mummy (Mom)?” Bunty replied without looking away from the TV screen.

He heaved a sigh of relief.

After a few moments, he again looked agitated. He looked towards me and asked,” Will rapists be caught?”

A few days ago, a girl was abducted from her college, raped and deserted at an isolated place in Delhi. I had seen in a news report on national television.

I was about to speak, just then a girl of about 18 years of age entered the room from the front door. She was Pummy his daughter.

She hesitated for a moment, seeing me, a stranger there, then crossed me to go inside. Before she could go inside Harendra asked her” Why are you late Pummy?”

She started explaining," papa! A few days ago dead body of a girl student of my university was found behind a boys’ hostel. There was a suspicion of murder. No one has been arrested so far. So university students were agitating against the inaction of the police. They blocked the road through which my bus runs. The Bus, in which I come, had to alter the route so it got late.

When she was telling the reason of her late coming, I was noticing the changing expressions on her face. She was a beautiful dusky girl with sharp features. She looked tired, but her eyes were alert and watchful. While talking to her father, she had been scrutinizing me too with her side glances.

After telling the reason of her late coming, she went inside.

After she had gone inside I looked at Harendra. He was looking in my direction, but his eyes looked focused on some distant object beyond me. Until then, he did not introduce me to any of his family members. I too did not bother about it. We were strangers only.

Suddenly, he addressed his son Bunty,” Bunty tell your mom to send two cups of tea.”

Bunty seemingly felt disturbed. He reluctantly got up and lazily went inside.

More than half an hour had elapsed since I reached there. I had a feeling that Harendra wanted to tell me something but was unable to express.

Bunty delivered two cups of tea to us and disappeared inside. The TV was on. Harendar switched that off.

Now only we were there in the room. We were sipping tea, talking. I again started thinking about my status in his house. I felt like an intruder there.

“Swamiji” he addressed keeping his cup of tea on the table after his last sip.

The way he addressed me this time surprised me, but I did not say anything.

He further spoke” last night I had a dream, which I want to tell you please.”

“Please tell” I said. Tea had made me a bit relaxed.

He started narrating his dream. He said, ”I saw four ferocious men chasing me with big naked swords in their hands to kill me, and I was running to escape from them. Thus, running crazily I entered into a blind lane. I turned back and saw those men entering the lane waving their swords. I was trapped in there. I felt that I had no chance to escape. Death seemed imminent and inescapable. I closed my eyes and waited for them to attack me. But……….”

He paused and looked into my eyes, perhaps to see my reaction. I asked him “but what?”

He further narrated,” I waited for them to attack me, but after some time when nothing happened, I opened my eyes. Those men were nowhere there. I was not in the lane. I was sitting in a big field in a circle formed by Rudraksh beads. I looked around me. I saw a young yogi in a saffron dress standing behind me. He smiled and told me that he had saved me as I was innocent. He also told me that he would meet me again, and he disappeared. After he disappeared, I again remembered those ferocious men and started shivering with fear and then only my sleep was broken.”After telling about his dream, he became quiet and went into a brooding mood.

I was wondering at his memory of a dream. His account of his dream seemed to me as if from some mythological film. I could not recollect if ever I could remember any of my dreams so vividly, and in such detail as he had told.

Again, my attention was drawn to him. His eyes were focused on my neck. I recalled that I was wearing two Rudraksh beads with the help of a black thread around my neck. I wore these to appease my grandmother. She brought these beads from Haridwar, a holy city for Hindus near Himalaya. She requested me to wear this. She believed that wearing Rudraksh would help me in keeping excellent health and landing in a decent job too. I did not want to disappoint her, so I put them on.

Suddenly, it occurred to me, and I was afraid that by any chance that man was trying to identify me his savior as seen in his dream. I looked at him.

I found him gazing at me.

Then he asked me,” what do you think about me?”

I thought that he got imbalanced and carried away because of his over sensitive nature and anxiety. I felt like comforting him.

I told him in a soothing tone,” you look very sensitive. Dreams are just dreams. All have nightmares sometimes. Still, if it disturbs you much you could consult a doctor.”By a doctor, I meant a psychiatrist, but I avoided this term, lest he should think that I was doubting his sanity. I had read somewhere that bad dreams could result from physical and mental causes.

I was sympathetic toward him, but I did not know how I could help him. Moreover, I had to return to my place by an afternoon train.

I said to him,” Sir, do not worry too much. All will be fine. Now allow me to leave.”

To my dismay, he grabbed my hands and started crying. He cried aloud like a child. While crying, he uttered” All are angry with me and leaving me. Even my guru has discarded me”

This was a new revelation to me that he had a Guru. He had not mentioned about his guru till then. I wondered that why did he not go to his Guru for advice when he needed it.

I had no personal Guru but I had always felt a sort of attraction towards them. I always thought that there must be something special in them that they are able to draw thousands of followers. I was more respectful towards the followers of these gurus as I believed those were the innocent and pure hearted people, who could have such faith as to surrender to their gurus. I found followers of a guru always talking high of their guru with great respect.

As he wept loudly a fair and thin middle aged woman came rushing into the room from inside. I understood that she was his wife. He looked at me questioningly. I wished her Namaste. She responded by saying Namaste and sat down on a stool kept near a window. Harendra became quiet.

“Are you working in his office,” she asked me. I said “no.”

I decided to tell her about myself, I told her the whole story of my chance meeting with him and coming to that house on his request. I told that I felt sympathy for him. As well, I apologized for my mistake if any. She did not seem to mind my presence there.

I went on to say,” He just now mentioned about his guru.”

On hearing this her facial expression changed. She looked very angry. She said scornfully,” He is not a guru, but a fake swami, thug. I do not know what spell he has cast on my husband that he has always been dancing to his tune. I never went to that guru and never allowed my children to go to him. His ashram is not very far. He has been exploiting my husband for a long time. Now we have become financially weak, so He has told my husband not to come to the ashram as he was no more a true follower of him. My husband does not see his ill intentions.”

She had ignored the fact that I was a stranger. She talked to me in a way as to a family friend.

Then she said to me,” your family members will be waiting for you. Do not bother, he will be fine. Thanks a lot.”

Harendar was sitting quiet head down.

I patted his shoulders, said Namaste to his wife and came out of their house.

I rushed to the nearby bus stop. A bus had just arrived there. I hurriedly climbed the bus without seeing its destination. I found a vacant seat and sat down there. I was thinking that how much disturb the negative atmosphere of the society can make a man like Harendra. I prayed for his well being in my heart.

After travelling for a few minutes I realized that the bus was not the right bus for me, Next stop I got down that bus to catch a right bus for me.

3

SETH GOPICHAND

Seth Gopichand’s house was bustling with activities in connection with the marriage of his elder son Devang, which was to be solemnized at the bride’s house in Gwalior. He was tense. He expected a call from Khurram, his right hand in his business. He had told him to give him a call as soon as the work was done and come back before his son’s marriage. Gopi Chand had booked a luxury bus for the marriage party comprising of his family, relatives and friends who would be going to Gwalior to participate and celebrate the marriage ceremony of his son Devang with Divya, daughter of a rich businessman of Gwalior.

4

RETURN JOURNEY

After visiting my cousin at R. K. Puram in New Delhi, I reached the New Delhi railway station in the evening just a few minutes before the scheduled departure time of the train, in which I was supposed to travel to Jhansi. I straight went to the cloak room, where I had deposited my briefcase in the morning. I took back my briefcase and rushed to the plate form number one. It was being announced there “attention please the train number…. Traveling from New Delhi to Bhopal via Jhansi is standing at plate form number 1…” I rushed to my compartment and as soon as I boarded the train, it started. This time my reserved berth was a side upper berth just next to the AC coach’s corridor entry. I anticipated a disturbed journey by the frequent movements of passengers in the corridor and by the frequent opening and closing of the door next to my berth. Whenever I travel by train on a side berth, particularly in an AC compartment, I always have this feeling that the Railway department should charge a lesser fare for these side berths as they are shorter in length and passengers have a less comfortable journey because of the movements of the people in the gallery.

After some time a train ticket examiner came wearing a black coat and a tie over a white shirt and pants. He checked my ticket and moved ahead to check other persons’ tickets.

I felt like resting. I climbed my berth and lay there folding my legs and using my briefcase as a pillow. I was tired, so soon I fell asleep. A few times my sleep was disturbed by the noise of the entering and leaving of passengers on the stations, where the train stopped.

I woke up a few minutes before my train reached Jhansi, my place. My train reached there around 12 midnight. I got down the train and came out of the railway station.

Had it been during day time I would have been surrounded by tens of auto and tempo drivers asking me where I had to go and some of them would have been virtually dragging me to their vehicles. Also, they would tell you the fare twice or thrice of the real rate. You had to bargain over this.At that hour of the night their number was less comparatively.

I hired an auto from railway station to Manik Chowk for rupees 50 and reached my home near this main market of the city in about twenty minutes.

I did not want to disturb all members of my family so instead of ringing the doorbell I softly knocked at the door. I knew that mother would be waiting for me. As I had anticipated it was mother only, who opened the door. All others were sleeping. I went straight to the bathroom and washed my face, hands and feet. I also changed my clothes and put on pyjamas and Kurta for comfort.

Mother, whom we called Amma served my food. After having food I went to bed.

5

KHURRAM AND JIMMY

Khurram was 6feet tall, well built and of dark complexion. He was a graduate and belonged to a good, but poor family. After passing out in Bachelor of Art in sociology, he tried to find some jobs but could not get a stable job. He thought of doing some business but finances were the big constraints.

His father had retired from the post of a senior clerk of the city corporation. His mother was a housewife. He had a younger sister and a younger brother.

He became well to do after joining Seth Gopichand. So much that he could help his brother in education. His brother did a diploma course in automobile engineering in a polytechnic institute. After that Khurram helped in opening a small automobile repair shop in the town. Also, he helped his father in the marriage of his younger sister.

A few years ago, when Khurram was unemployed and in financial difficulties, he happened to meet Jimmy, a friend of his college days. Jimmy told him that he was working in Mumbai and if he wanted he could arrange a job for him also there. Khurram agreed.

Khurram’s family members were not wanting him to go, but he had decided to go to Mumbai with Jimmy.

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6

KHURRAM IN MUMBAI

When Khurram got down the train at CST Mumbai along with his friend Jimmy, he was awestruck seeing the crowd there. He carried his suitcase in his left hand and with the right hand he grabbed the arm of Jimmy. He felt like a child afraid of getting lost in that crowd. This was his first visit to a big city.

Making the way through the crowd, they came out of the railway station. Jimmy took Khurram to the roadside and stopped at one place. He made a phone call from his mobile phone. In a few seconds one black Maruti Van pulled along and stopped in front of them. Jimmy went ahead and opened the side sliding door of the van. He made jimmy sit inside the car first, then he sat inside and closed the door. Their suitcases were not very big. They kept them in the leg space. The driver had kept the car engine running, He applied first gear and smoothly raised the clutch, then moved ahead. Soon he lowered the gear to the 4th and the car was speeding on the road. Khurram noticed that Jimmy had not told the driver anything. He asked Jimmy,”Hum Kahan ja rahe hain?”(Where are we going?)

Jimmy answered,”mere Ghar.”(my residence)

On the way to Jimmy’s house Khurram kept on watching huge towers, high rise buildings, malls from the running car with an awe.

Jimmy’s residence was a half an hour drive from CST. Soon they were there standing before a multi storey building. Jimmy’s flat was on the third floor of this building.

They went inside the building. Jimmy guided Khurram to the lift at the left side of the entrance. They entered the lift. Jimmy pushed the lift button for the third floor. The lift had no other person beside them. It stopped at the third floor. They came out and went to Jimmy’s flat, which was locked. Jimmy took out a key and un-locked the doors of the flat. This was a two bedroom flat. They entered the flat. This was daytime, but inside the flat it was almost dark as all the windows were closed and curtains were drawn fully covering them. Jimmy switched on the lights. Khurram looked around the house. He was impressed. The house was clean, well decorated and well furnished.

Khurram asked where JJimmy’s family was. Jimmy told him that his wife and son had gone to Lucknow. His wife’s parents lived in Lucknow. She, along with their only son, who was five years old, had gone to live with her parents for about a month. So Jimmy could comfortably stay there for that period.

He told Khurram, “You get fresh. I will go out and buy some food for us”. He went out.

Khurram opened his suitcase. He took out a towel and a few clothes from the suitcase and went to the bathroom.

After getting fresh he sat on a sofa in the drawing room and started waiting for Jimmy. He did not know what his future was.

Then the doorbell rang…

7

JOURNEY TO KONCH

The next morning I woke up late. After being fresh I went to the drawing room. My father was already sitting there. I liked to have my morning tea, sitting in the drawing room and reading newspaper. My mother brought tea for us there and kept on the center table.

Father was reading the newspaper. He removed the middle page of the paper and gave that to me. After some time we exchanged our pages of the newspaper.

We had tea and read newspaper.

After finishing the tea I picked up our empty cups and went inside to keep in the kitchen sink.

Again, I came there and sat with my father. After some time he said to me, “Babuji has wanted to visit us for some time. You can go to Konch by the noon train and bring him with you the next day noon train.” My father called his father,my grandfather, Babuji

I used to call my father “Pitaji”.

My grandfather had a big house in Konch, where he lived with my uncle, my father’s younger brother’s family. My uncle had six children, three sons and three daughters. Two sons and one daughter were elderly to me, two were younger to me. Among my uncle’s sons, two were elderly to me and one was about my age. I liked to visit them.

Pitaji gave me some money for my journey, which I took and kept with me.

Now let me introduce the place “Konch” in case you are not aware of it. This town is the main commercial place of District Jalaun in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. Historically, this place is said to belong to the Ramayan period. Some even say that this place has been mentioned in the Vedas as the place where Kronch birds were found in plenty. In modern history, in 1857 there happened a clash between Queen of Jhansi and the British forces at this place while she was moving from Jhansi to Kalpi.

One more interesting fact about Konch is this that the smallest railway line of Indian Railway is between ‘Ait’ and ‘Konch’. The railway-station of the town Ait lies on the main railway line between Jhansi and Kanpur. There runs a three coach shuttle train between Ait and Konch. It is great fun to travel by this train. But that day I decided to go by bus. So I had a quick shower. After that I had a heavy breakfast of Aloo- paratha's. Then I kept a few essential clothes for one day and set out for Konch..

I reached the bus station around 9am. A bus to Konch was ready to move. I got into the bus and took a window seat, which was vacant. There were not many people on the bus when I got into the bus, but after a few stops the bus became crowded. This was an old private bus. When the conductor came to me and asked me where I was going. I told him my destination. He gave me a ticket to Konch. The bus was shaking and making lots of noise. We, of that region were used to travel in such conditions so nobody was complaining. I Passed time seeing through the window passing by farmers working in the fields, cattle, stretches of barren land, hills etc.…

By noon 12o ‘clock I was at my uncle’s house in Konch.

My grandfather, Uncle, aunt and my cousins, all were very happy to see me. I missed my grandmother, who had expired a year ago.

It was lunch time, so we all had lunch. After lunch a Dari(a type of carpet) was spread on the ground in a common room under a ceiling fan and we all brothers and sisters sat on it and started chit chat. Those days there was no dearth of topics for chit chat or conversation. We continued our conversations well into the evening. It seemed that a few hours had passed in a few minutes. Then my cousins suggested that we should go to the Singh Bhavani temple, a temple of Devi Durga, which was at a distance of one km from our house. We took permission from my aunt. She allowed, but advised us to be careful when crossing the railway line, which crossed our way to the temple. We went to the temple, had Darshan and Prasad.

By the time we reached back home it was night. It was summer time so my bed was arranged on the roof along with those of uncle and brothers. Grandfather would sleep in the courtyard under a mosquito-net. Aunty and sisters would sleep on the veranda adjacent to the courtyard. Our beds were made by spreading Daris and bed sheets on the cots of wooden frames, and coir ropes woven across the frames. These Cots were called Charpais.

After supper we came to our beds. A breeze was blowing there over the roof, the stars were twinkling in the dark sky. We were tired, so soon we all were fallen asleep.

There was a surprise in store for me in the next morning.

8

MISCHIEVOUS MONKEYS

I just forgot that there were monkeys in that area. At night before sleeping I kept my wristwatch by the side of my pillow. When I woke up I found my wrist watch missing. I searched it under the cot. Then I looked around. I saw a monkey sitting on the boundary wall and he had my watch in his hand.

What happened with me was not a new thing. This used to happen there often.Whenever monkeys found any household articles like, utensils and clothes, etc. They would pick them and run away with them. People would have to run after them to get back their articles.

Actually, this was a trick of monkeys to get food and entertainment. After picking up an item they would not go far, instead they would climb some nearby roof or tree and dangle the items to tease the owner. People would go after them and offer them some food items like bread or some grains by throwing away at a little distance from them. Then monkeys would rush towards the food, dropping the looted articles. People would retrieve their belongings. Monkeys would enjoy the food items. I was aware of this behavior of the monkeys. I ran to the kitchen and brought a piece of bread. I showed it to the monkey and threw it at some distance from him. He dropped my wristwatch on the roof and rushed towards the piece of bread. I picked up my watch and was happy found it intact.

I was the last person to wake up there. All others had already gone down the roof.

In the evening my grandfather and I reached Jhansi by a train named Chhapra mail.

9

DADAJI IN JHANSI

Dadaji and I were standing before our house in Jhansi. I knocked at the door and pressed the doorbell too. My father opened the door. He touched the feet of Dadaji and I touched his feet in greetings.

We entered the house. I carried the baggage of Dadaji and kept on one side of the drawing room. Whenever he visited us he used to stay in that room only.

Father gave me a post-envelope, addressed to me. Once again, I had to go to Delhi for a job interview.

When I thought about the journey to Delhi, I remembered Harendra and his daughter Pummy. I started thinking and questioned my own self, ”Should I meet them this turn?”

10

AGAIN A VISIT TO DELHI.

The next day I was sitting in a first class compartment of a train to Delhi and thinking, “how long I would be taking examinations and facing interviews? When will I get a job and become self reliant?”During this thought process faces of Harendra and pummy were also flashing in my mind. I took out a General Knowledge book from my bag and started trying to read that.

11

KHURRAM ALIAS SALEEM

Hearing the door bell’ sound Khurram opened the door. When Jimmy went out, Khurram did not lock the door. The door had an automatic lock system.

Jimmy opened the food packets. He had brought chilly chicken and tandoori roti. They had the food. They were so hungry that they did not bother about plates or even water. After finishing the food from food packets Jimmy went to the fridge and brought a bottle of water. They drank the water from the bottle itself. Between the two men and friends there were no formalities. Then Jimmy told Khurram to rest for some time and that they would be going out afterwards. He signaled Jimmy towards a bedroom. He himself laid down on the triple seated sofa itself.

Khurram went to the bedroom and lay on the bed there. Soon Jimmy fell asleep. He was snoring. His snoring was loud and assailing Khurram’s ears. Khurram did not feel sleepy. He was thinking if his decision to come to Mumbai was right. If he was giving his friend undue trouble.

Jimmy woke up after around two hours. He came to Jimmy and said, “Salim get ready. We have to go somewhere.”Khurram was surprised at this address. Salim was his official name. After leaving college rarely anybody called him by this name. Most people called him by his pet name Khurram. This name Salim, reminded him of the romantic and dreamy days of his college days. He felt younger by a few years. He got ready within no time.

Both of them came out of the building. The same black Maruti van was waiting for them. As soon as they sat in the car, the driver moved the car. In a few minutes time it was speeding towards the destination, which he already knew.

12

SALEEM AND SETH

Inside the car Jimmy told Saleem that they were going to meet an important man, who could give him a job.

The car stopped in the portico of Centaur hotel. Durban, a tall fellow with thick mustache twisted upward at the corners and a turban on his head, came forward and opened the doors of the car. He saluted them and courteously guided them to the entrance.

They entered the hotel. Jimmy went to the reception and talked something with a young and beautiful lady in Saree there. He came back and took Khurram to a lift opposite to the reception counter. When a lift came down, its doors were opened and a few persons came out of the lift. Then they entered the lift. Jimmy told the lift operator, ”third floor”. The lift-man pushed a button and lift moved in the upward direction. Khurram felt the pull of gravity on his body in the opposite direction. He felt heavy. Within no time the lift reached the third floor and stopped. They came out of the lift and found themselves in a long corridor, which had wall to wall red carpet on the floor. Jimmy informed Khurram that they had to go to the room number202. They noticed a board indicating the numbers and directions of the rooms on that floor. The room number 202 was the second room towards left from the lift. They approached the room. Jimmy told Khurram to wait outside when he would go in the room. Then he rang the doorbell. The door of the room was not locked. Somebody called from inside,” come in.”

Jimmy slowly opened the door and entered the room, closing the door behind. Khurram remained standing outside the room as told by Jimmy.

After about ten minutes Jimmy opened the door and signaled Khurram to come into the room. Khurram was overwhelmed by the grandeur and comfort of the five-star hotel room. He was taken aback on seeing the person sitting there. He was a middle aged man of medium height. He had a bulky figure and round face with small eyes. He had gray hair and was clean shaved. Khurram recognized him. He was Seth Gopichand of his city. He wondered that why Jimmy brought him to Mumbai to meet Seth Gopi while he could arrange their meeting in his town itself.

Then there was a surprise for Jimmy. Seth asked him to wait outside the room for some time.

13

MY JOB

Once again, I was in Delhi. I had causally applied for the post of assistant intelligence officer in a private detective agency named Indian Security Agency. They had called for applications by publishing their vacancy in newspapers. They called us on the bases of the aggregate of our marks obtained in our 10th standard, 12th standard and graduation examinations. There were in all three vacancies. Five hundred people applied for those three posts and sixty candidates were actually called there. This detail I came to know after reaching the venue of my interview. The venue was the Agency’s office, which was on the top floor of a multi storey building in Connaught place in Delhi. From outside it looked like any other office. Security at the gate was not as detached and matter of fact, as I had seen in some other offices. The security was polite and welcoming. Beyond security a young man received us in the office and directed us towards the conference hall, which had entrances at the left corner of the reception hall. A young and beautiful lady in an office suit at the reception greeted us with a charming smile.

The Conference hall was big enough to accommodate a hundred persons. Enough number of chairs were kept there in rows as in a classroom. Next to conference hall there was a room, where all candidates were interviewed. The Interview was preceded by a previously undeclared on the spot written test of objective nature, which contained questions on reasoning, general knowledge and psychology. The test was of half an hour duration. The interview was an unusually brisk affair. Many candidates were complaining that they were not given even two minutes. When my turn came I entered the room with the permission of interview board. The Interview board consisted of three members. They asked me to sit in a chair in front of them. My bio-data was lying on the table before them. Knowing that I belong to Jhansi they asked me a few questions about Rani Lakshmibai. They asked me a few more questions on the current affairs. Then they thanked me and asked me to go. I thanked them and came out of the room. We had been told that the final result of the test and interview would be declared that evening itself around five. I looked time at my wristwatch. It was 1’o clock. I felt hunger and decided to go out of that building and have lunch in some local restaurant. I did not know the place. I simply walked toward the left direction. Shortly I saw a board Delhi veg restaurant. I went to the place. I felt the place ok so i entered there. It was a small air-conditioned restaurant. It felt a great relief to be in there after walking under the May Sun of Delhi. Waiter received me and guided me to a vacant seat. I sat down there and ordered for Alu-Gobhi,Dal-Makhani and a few Fulkas. It seems now that I was taken to that restaurant by providence. There was marked a separated area for families. A few families were sitting there. When, after having my lunch paying the bill, I got up and moved to the exit, my attention was drawn towards a couple sitting there. They were Shubhang and Pummy. They did not see me and I too did not feel like disturbing them. I stealthily moved to the exit and came out.” How come Shubhang,the younger son of Seth Gopichand and pummy together? “ This question surprised and puzzled me. But I felt happy for them. They reminded me of my college days and my friend Shaliny.

14

PUMMY,SHUBHANG AND SHALINY

Shaliny was my classmate and neighbor. I do not know if I could call those meetings as dating. Several times we had Samosas and teas together in our college canteen. She was a beautiful girl and very good at studies. I liked her very much. We were almost in love, but neither of us said this. I knew that she would not say it first. Finally, I would have to propose to her and this was quite natural that a boy proposed to a girl. The girl could also propose, but Shaliny was a different girl. Shaliny’s father was a police officer, whose reputation was not good in the society. My parents disliked him very much. This, I came to know at a later stage. I was from a middle class family. My father was a lecturer of Hindi in a college. My mother was a housewife and I had three sisters, one elder to me and two younger to me. The elder sister was married.My Father spent a lot on her marriage ceremony. For the other two daughters’ marriages, he was counting on his soon to be ‘retirement’ benefits. He also hoped that I would be employed shortly and would help him financially in marrying off my two sisters. After my graduation I started appearing for various competitive examinations. One day I mentioned it before my mother that I desired to marry a girl like Shalini after getting a good job. She did not express any excitement or happiness about this. Although she told that she did not like Shaliny’s father. I did not talk further on this topic. In due course of time without my declaring my love for Shaliny all my family members came to know of my love interest. But none were in support of this proposal. I could never understand the reason behind this. Once Shaliny had mentioned that her father was quite ambitious regarding her marriage. He would like his son in law to be some very high ranking government officer. All these things compelled me to postpone my proposing to Shaliny. Also, I thought it pointless to think about marriage, when I was unemployed. I decided to focus on my career. I thought that after becoming a high ranking officer, I will approach directly to Shaliny’s father and ask for his daughter’s hand as they say in India. I was sure that when I got a nice job nobody would decline my proposal. I went to Allahabad and joined coaching classes for civil services. Thus, studying and appearing in various examinations, two years passed. In between I visited my home several times, but could not meet Shaliny. We did not have the facility of mobile phones and computer. Later I came to know that she had been sent to her maternal uncle’s house, which was in Kanpur for further studies. It was foolish on my part not to strive enough to contact her and convey my feelings and ideas. We were of almost the same age. I took it for granted that she would not marry in next two years. Also during that period I would get the desired job and I would propose to marry her. One day, during my visit to my home. I found a marriage card lying in a cupboard. I picked it up curiously and opened. I got shocked, earth swept under my feet, that was Shalini’s marriage card. Two days ago was the date of her marriage. I rushed to her house, but there was nothing left to be done. I did not go to her house. From a distance I saw the traditional graffiti around the entrance of her house, which is made on the occasion of marriage in our place. I returned broken heart. I asked my family why they did not tell me about Shalini’s marriage. All were silent. My father answered, “there was nothing to inform you. That miserly fellow, Shaliny’s father did not invite me with family. I went there alone and gave five hundred rupees in an envelope as a gift to the bride and bridegroom as is the custom of this place.” He further added, “But one thing is sure, the girl is lucky. The boy is handsome and an IPS officer.” My mental state was different and was nobody’s concern. I went to my room, bolted it from inside and cried out my heart. The next day I came to know that I had passed the written examination of probationary officer of state bank. I would have to appear for interview next week. But I was so angry and frustrated that life looked worthless. I did not go for the interview and lost an excellent chance of getting a decent job and after this I had to remain unemployed for a long period of time. Whenever I remember her I feel sad and hold myself responsible for what happened.

15

MY JOB

Visiting my past memories and thinking about Shaliny it struck five. A man came out of the office, holding a file. He opened the file and uttered three names. One name was mine. I felt happy and nervous too. He asked us three candidates to go inside and said sorry to the rest of the candidates and indicated that they might leave and return to their places. Other two successful candidates were Maya and Rangnathan. Maya was from Mumbai and Rangnathan from Chennai. Maya was an attractive young lady. She was fair, tall and possessed an athletic body. I guessed that she might be a sports person and this was true. Later I came to know that she played volleyball and had been in her university team. Rangnathan was proverbial tall, dark and handsome. He was about six feet. I, with the height of five feet seven inches found myself a little taller than Maya and shorter than Rangnathan. We got introduced to each other inside the office. We were given temporary appointment letters. We were told that we would be called again after police verification. Then we would be given three months training. We would be kept on probation for 6 months and after the probation period, we would be given permanent status in the organization. That night itself, I returned to Jhansi. The next morning I told my family about my selection All of them were elated except my father. Actually, he was happy too but his expectations of me were higher. He wanted me to be a high officer in the government of a state or the center. But then my destiny was that I become an intelligence officer in a private detective agency. As far as I was concerned, I was happy or rather relieved of the tension regarding employment by this selection and I was going to be independent. Also, I would be able to help my father financially. In the evening I called Ram Kumar, my friend and suggested an evening walk to the Rani Lakshmibai park. This park is situated near the fort, known as the fort of the legendary queen of Jhansi Maharani Lakshmibai. It was the month of May so the weather was generally hot but it was a pleasant evening there. We sat on the stairs leading to the high column on which there is a statue of Rani Lakshmibai riding a horse with a small child tied to her back. A hawker was selling roasted groundnuts. We called him and bought two hundred grams of the roasted groundnuts. We remained seated there eating those groundnuts and chit chatting. Behind the park there is a road leading to the Main gate of the fort. The fort is built on a hill so this road ascends from the park to the fort gate. The slope gets rather steeper as you go nearer the Gate of the fort. The length of this road should be roughly one km from the park. At a short distance before the gate the road divides into two roads. From this point we get a beautiful view of the town below. Also from this dividing point one road goes to the gate of the fort the other one descends to the other side of the town. This is also a shortcut to Manik Chowk from the fort. I suggested to walk from the park to the fort on that road. On reaching near the gate, I noticed that I did not feel the tiredness, which I felt on earlier occasions walking on this road in the same manner. We halted at the point, where the road was divided. From this point we had a bird’s eye view of half of the city down below on one side of the fort. At that high point unbridled wind was blowing from the west to east. We stayed there for a while absorbing the beautiful view of the town below and enjoying the wind. I opened wide my arms and took a few deep breaths. Then we strolled down the slope towards Minerva theater and reached my home via Manik Chowk.

That night, lying on a Charpai(cot) on the roof under the wide open starry sky going into sleep, I saw the face of Shaliny appeared among the stars for a moment and disappeared.

That night in my dream too, I saw Shaliny coming out of the college with a sweet smile on her beautiful face. She looked as charming as ever.

16

KHURRAM GETS A JOB Now it was jimmy’s turn to be surprised, when Seth Gopichand asked him to wait outside of the room for a while. Jimmy went outside.

Gopichand asked Khurram, ”What type of job are you looking for?” Khurram answered, “Anything, sir!” Gopichand, “My business interests are lying in various cities of our country and abroad so you may have to work at different places and travel also.” Khurram, “I badly need a job. I am ready to do any type of work anywhere.”

Jimmy had already briefed about Khurram. Seth was happy to know that he was from his city only.

He called Jimmy inside and said to him, “Jimmy! As you have recommended this man so I have decided to hire him.” Jimmy, ‘’Thank you Sethji.” Seth, “You will guide and train him.”

Seth Gopichand gave a visiting card to Khurram and told him to meet the person at the address printed on that card next morning at 9’o clock. And gave Jimmy also a card and Jimmy knew what he was supposed to do.

Seth Gopichand was of a dual personality. On one side, he was a religious, nationalist and generous man of a good character, well devoted to his family. He regularly donated to various institutions involved in social work.But he does not mind earning money through legal or illegal means.

17

KHURRAM’S TEST

Jimmy had been living in Mumbai for some time. He knew the place, where Khurram had to go. He briefed Khurram about the place and suggested that he should take his car as he was new to the place.

Next morning Khurram reached the appointed place sharp at 9’oclock. That place was an office of a courier company and he had to meet the manager, whose visiting card Seth had given him.

He produced the visiting card at the reception and told the receptionist girl that he had to meet the manager. She took him to the manager’s cabin. Seeing him manager stood and extended his right hand and spoke, “welcome Mr. Khurram please be seated”Khurram shook his extended hand and sat in a chair in front of him. He spoke to the girl,”Hand over him that parcel no 2.”The girl went to another cabin and brought a small cardboard box, tightly wrapped with cloth and cello tapes. She kept it on the table before Khurram.

As soon as Khurram picked up that parcel, his mobile rang. He took out his cell phone from the sheath fixed with his belt and received the call. It was from Jimmy. Jimmy told him that the parcel, which he had picked up was to be delivered to Seth Gopichand at the departure terminal of the Mumbai Domestic Airport at 12’o clock. Seth will meet him at the entrance there. Also, Jimmy asked him to rush to the airport as it would take about two hours to reach there from that place, he was present at that moment. He ran to the car, opened a back door and while seating himself in the car he told the driver to hurry up to the airport.

Ten minutes before the appointed time Khurram reached the airport. He told the driver to park the car and he rushed to the departure side of the airport holding the parcel in his left hand. He could hardly move a few steps further someone asked him to stop in a strict and a loud voice. He stopped and looked back, he saw a police inspector briskly approaching him. As soon as the police inspector reached near him three other policemen also came there from different directions. These four policemen surrounded him closely. The Police inspector asked him sternly, “What is inside the parcel, which is in your hand?” Khurram said, “I don’t know.”

“Why, is it not yours?”Police inspector said. “No! This belongs to my employer?”Khurram said.

The police inspector instructed a policeman to open the parcel. He took the parcel and carefully unwrap it. There was a small card box inside. He looked up to the inspector. The inspector asked him to open that box. He slowly and carefully opened that box. There was a crystal show piece inside. The inspector looked Khurram from head to toe and ordered the constable to return the show piece to him. He returned it to him.

Khurram grabbed the show piece and rushed towards the entrance of the departure side of the airport. But he saw Seth Gopichand and Jimmy coming to him. When they approached him Seth said to him, “I saw everything. You don’t bother much. Because of the terrorists’ activities the security around the Airport is very tight.”

He handed over his briefcase to Jimmy and asked him to keep that crystal showpiece inside. He kept the briefcase on the tiled floor, opened that and kept the showpiece wrapping in a towel as suggested by Seth Gopichand.

Seth took the briefcase and walked away to the departure terminal of the airport to catch a flight to Surat. While bidding them good bye there was a mysterious smile on Seth Gopichand’s face.

Actually, when the police stopped him, he got afraid, but he did not let it show either on his face or in his behavior.

He never knew that the police was misinformed by Seth through Jimmy to test his nerves.

He had passed the test.

Jimmy and Khurram drove back to Jimmy’s house.

18

CALL FROM THE AGENCY

Two days after my return from Mumbai one of my neighbors told me that an unidentified man was asking about my antecedents.

Next day a local policeman showed up at my residence. He told that the India security agency of Delhi had requested the local police to verify my detail. We courteously welcomed him to our drawing room and offered him a cup of tea. He asked a few questions from me, had tea and left.

After about a week from the police verification on a Monday I received a registered letter from the Agency. I was asked to report at the Agency’s Delhi office on next Monday. I felt then, the time had come to say good bye to my own city.

Monday morning at 9’oclock I reported at the Delhi office of the Indian security agency. Ranganathan and Maya also reported the same day.

First of all we produced our call letters at the reception to a young girl, who welcomed us. She handed over to us our Identity Cards, which were kept ready in advance. Later we came to know that she was a junior intelligence officer. She told us to go to one Mr R. K. Kapoor, A senior intelligence officer. We went to Mr. Kapoor’s room. We took his permission and entered his room. He was about 40 years old, of medium height, clean shaved with receding hairline. He wore a white shirt and white pants. He looked more like a businessman than a detective.

He welcomed by shaking hands and requested us to sit in chairs in front of him across the table. We sat down.

It was not difficult to guess that he already knew us through our files having detailed information about us lying before him on the table. Customarily he asked our names and how we were doing. We said that we were fine and thanked him.

Then he started telling us about the organization. He told us that the Delhi office was the administrative headquarters of the agency with an operational wing. But Mumbai had their operational Head Quarters. After basic training in Delhi, a major part of our training will be imparted in Mumbai. He further told that our basic training for a week will be done in Delhi. The agency had hired a three bedroom flat in the same building at first floor and that is their guest house. Mr Kapoor told us that we could stay in that flat. Then he turned to Maya and asked, “Is this ok for you?”

Maya said, “It is fine sir.”

Then he advised us to get adjusted in the guest house and relax. We were told to report the next day at 9am in the conference hall.

We went to the guest house and occupied one room each. All rooms were well furnished. Kitchen was also equipped with a gas stove and a gas- cylinder. Tea, coffee, milk powder, etc. were stacked on a shelf. A six chairs, dining table was kept in the dining area. A medium size fridge and a water filter were also there. There was a 29’’ LCD television set and a sofa set also in the drawing room.

We had ample free time at our disposal, so we decided to go out for food and see the place. We passed the day in sightseeing and returned after dinner. After we reached the guest house we were quite tired so we straight went to bed in our respective rooms. When I closed my eyes to sleep faces of Harendra and Pummy came to mind for a moment and disappeared.

19

SHUBHANG VISITS PUMMY

Shubhang was a student of Delhi University. He was studying for the degree of B. Com. Pummy was her classmate. Music was their common interest, which was instrumental in bringing them closer. They sang songs in a college function and got attracted towards each other. Soon they started dating.

The day I saw them together in a restaurant Pummy took Shubhang to her house to meet her family members. They liked Shubhang.

20

SATKARI BABA

That was the day of guru Poornima. A big crowd of people was present in the ground to hear the preaching of Satkari Baba. Baba must be around 60.But his dyed black long hair and long flowing black and white mixed beard, well fed body showed him a bit younger. He was wearing saffron color silky Kurta and dhoti.

Satkari Baba started his pravachan(discourse) by singing a prayer to Lord Ganesha followed by a verse about the Guru, equating guru with God. Then he started his main discourse. That day being guru Poornima he spoke mainly about the importance of Guru in once life His discourse was impressive. He did not allow his audience to feel bored. His discourse was well punctuated with filmi devotional songs sung by an orchestra present there. Baba himself sang well.

The crowd was enjoying the Baba’s discourse ecstatically. In that crowd Harendranath was also present.

21

MY TRAINING

Next morning after having breakfast in a local small restaurant we reported at 9am for training in the conference hall of the Indian Security Agency. There was a white board on a wall on which one could write with a marker type pen. I thought this could be utilized as a screen for projector too. But for that they had separate arrangement. The Conference hall was looking more like a class- room. A big vacant classroom. A chair and table were kept near the board. A few chairs were placed facing the board. Mr Kapoor followed us into the hall and wished us good morning before we could react to his presence. We wished him good morning and took our seats before him as he asked us to do.

Mr Kapoor started telling us, “ISA is ten years old organization. It was started by a retired army officer, Major Chaco. We have god branches in all the capital cities of the states of India. At international level, in several countries we have liaisons with some detective agency there. Some other countries we have our agents stationed there.”

We were listening Mr Kapoor attentively.

He further spoke, “ Intelligence services are very important for any country. Shri Chankya has said that the intelligence department of a nation has a very important role in making that nation powerful.”

He added ,“IB, RAW, CBI, CID and intelligence wings of various law enforcement agencies are working in this direction for India.”

Our continuity was disturbed by a peon, who entered there with a tray having tea and biscuits. We had tea and were ready for further talk by Mr Kapoor.

Mr Kapoor, “Ours is a private detective agency. Our clients give us tasks. But we also serve our society and nation by our work in our own way which you will understand when you work in the field.”

He paused and told us to ask any questions if we had. None of us had any question. We were more interested in knowing more about the organization from Mr Kapoor.

He further said, ”We keep good relations with the government agencies. Our reputation is so good that many officers, who worked with us got selected in government investigative agencies and they are very successful there.

That day Kapoor sir talked mainly about the organization, but one advice he gave at the end, which I never forget.

He said, “to be successful in this field keep your ego in check and try to keep a low profile so that you achieve your target without drawing anybody’s unwanted attention.”

He also advised us to follow the law of the land and keep good rapport with all around us especially the government officers.

Then he gave us the brochures having a general profile of the agency and the services offered to the clients.

In the end he informed us that from the next day for a week we will be given training about cyber crime and after that we would be sent to Mumbai for further training.

22

MEETING WITH THE CHIEF

After a week’s training in Mumbai we were sent to Mumbai.

When we entered the Chief’s chamber, he welcomed us and asked us to take seats signaling toward the chairs in front of him across his huge table. The chief, Major Chaco was sitting, but even while sitting he looked tall. He was looking not more than 40 years of age. He was wearing dark blue jeans and sky colour tee shirt. He had well exercised muscular body. He was dark, but sharp featured and handsome. Perhaps Maya described his personality better afterwards as the proverbial Tall, dark and Handsome man.

He addressed us in a deep voice, “Welcome to ISA. But let me tell you that some people get attracted to a detective’s job by seeing detective movies and reading detective novels. But this job demand suitable aptitude and hard work. If you are really interested and can work hard you will love the job and will have job satisfaction.”

He said in the end, “Mr Dsouza will take care of you. All the best for your training”

As told by the chief we met Mr Dsouza. He made all the arrangements for our boarding, lodging and training. We underwent physical, arms, law and spying training for three months. We were also introduced to various electronic gadgets used in spying and were trained to use them. The training was quite interesting. Three months passed very quickly.

23

CALLS FROM SHAIKH

Seth Gpichand got a phone call from Dubai. The message in it increased his heart beats.

Satkari Baba got a similar message.

The same type of messages reached Rangrajan at Chennai and Humja at Calicut and Koya at Kochi

The Sheikh had called them to reach Dubai next Friday. A meeting of the Gold Syndicate was being held after a long gap.

Seth Gopichand had had some differences with the syndicate and disassociated himself from it for a long time. The fact, that despite his differences he had been called, flattered him. He thought it as his recognition and importance in the international group. He decided to go to Dubai.

24

DISCOMFORT IN A NEIGHBOURING COUNTRY

An important and top secret meeting was held in a neighbouring enemy country. Participants of this meeting were the Army chief, the intelligence chief, a minister of the government of that country and an international don living there under government protection. They were discussing about the possible outcome of the general election, then being held in India and its effect. Also was on their agenda how to create disturbance in India. They had done one or two small explosions in election meetings but could not do anything big.

Don had received the information regarding the meeting of the gold syndicate. He told about this to the intelligence chief. The chief felt envious of the Don’s network. He asked the Don to send somebody to attend that meeting.

The Don had grown old. But he could not afford taking retirement. He understood that he was alive and safe in that country till he is of some use for the government or the intelligence department of that nation. The day he becomes useless, he would be handed over to America or India to be punished for the crimes done there. Sometimes he wished if he could go to India.

In this meeting it was decided to escalate infiltration into India, increase smuggling of fake Indian currency by various routes, Continue the training of terrorists and send don’s representative to the meeting of the gold syndicate.

Same night Don sent a message to Aslam to attend the meeting of the gold syndicate.

25

AFTER MY TRAINING

After training I was posted in Delhi. Rangnathan was sent to Chennai and Maya was posted in Mumbai.

A few weeks in the beginning I was made to handle the reception. At the reception I was the first person to meet a client, hear his case, prepare a basic file and forward it to Mr Kapoor, who would decide which senior officer would handle the case. The client would meet that officer as and when required. In our Delhi office there were 10 senior officers, 25 junior officers and 25 assistants.

After a month of my posting, I was attached to a team under a senior intelligence officer to investigate a case. A rich man’s wife had a doubt that her husband had a secret relationship with another woman and she wanted to verify some of his properties. This case was not very difficult. But for a raw detective like me everything was exciting. I learnt how to keep surveillance, how to follow a suspect, eavesdropping etc.

I worked hard with dedication and in a year I was promoted as junior intelligence officer and then a senior intelligence officer and transferred to Mumbai.

But before moving to Mumbai I wanted to finish a job in Delhi. I had not forgotten Harendra and I had been watching Satkari Baba.

I had the information regarding his coming Dubai visit and its purpose.

I requested Kapoor sir to retain me in Delhi for some more time. He agreed.

26

KULKARNI’S INFORMER

Superintendent of customs intelligence Mumbai Mr R Kulkarni’s office phone rang. He lifted the phone and said, “Hello.”

The answer from the other end surprised him. He recognized the voice of Yousuf, one of his old trusted informers.

Yousuf said, “Hello Kulkarni sir. Myself, Yousuf speaking. I want to meet you. Where can we meet?”

Kulkarni thought for a moment and answered, “tonight at Moonlight Bar”

Yousuf, “What time, sir?”

Kulkarni, “8pm.”

Yousuf, “ok, see you there sir! Bye”

Kulkarni said bye and kept the receiver down.

Again the phone rang. He lifted the phone. Yousuf was on the line. He wanted to know his mobile number. Kulkarni gave him his mobile number and disconnected the phone.

Yousuf was a small time smuggler of the pre liberalization era and the period of license-Raj and the gold control act. Later he became an informer of the customs department. He was a trustworthy informer of Kulkarni sir. Those days he gave him several times very useful information resulting in big seizures of smuggled goods including gold and drugs. Kulkarni earned a very good reputation in the department. He received good financial rewards too. Yousuf was also suitably rewarded by the government as was the policy.

Once Kulkarni helped Yousuf in an emergency. When Yousuf was active in smuggling activities, once Mr Kulkarni, who was an inspector then caught him with some smuggled item at the Delhi international airport. Yousuf told him that he had been just a carrier of the goods and he was given five thousand rupees for that work. He requested him to spare him for a few hours as his wife is seriously ill and hospitalized in a city hospital. He wanted to meet her deposit the amount in the hospital for her treatment. Kulkarni himself took him to the hospital and let him attend his wife and make necessary arrangement for her treatment. After that only he arrested him. From that day he became close to Kulkani and his personal informer.

Yousuf had contacted Kulkarni after many years. He was curious to know what Yousuf wanted to tell him.

Kulkarni and Yousuf selected a corner table of the bar. Kulkarni ordered a premium whisky for himself. Yousuf declined the hard drink and preferred orange juice so he ordered an orange juice for Yousuf and some cashew nuts.

The waiter brought the drinks and nuts and placed on the table. He opened a soda bottle with the opener and asked if he could make the drink. Kulkarni asked him to keep the soda bottle on the table.

After the waiter gone away Yousuf poured the soda in the whisky glass and filled that to the brim. Kulkarni let him do so. Kulkarni lifted the glass, drank a mouthful of whisky as a first draught and kept the glass on the table. Yousuf also sipped juice from his glass.

Kulkarni asked Yousuf looking into his eyes, “What is the matter?”

Yousuf looked around and bent forward to come closer to him. He said, “Old days are coming back.”

Kulkarni looked around and asked Yousuf, “What do you mean?”

Yousuf came further close and whispered, “Gold smuggling is again going to start in a big way.”

Kulkarni got alert and attentive to what Yousuf was going to tell him.

He asked Yousuf, “How do you know?”

Yousuf answered, “Sir a party in Dubai, whose smuggling goods I had carried earlier, has asked my willingness to work for them and carry gold to India. Though I have refused yet I thought of alerting you.”

Kulkarni also had anticipated this seeing the market trend, but now he got the news from an insider. Yousuf never gave false information.

Kulkarni did not drink much. After finishing their drinks they came out of the bar. Kulkarni asked Yousuf to collect more information. Both of them walked away in different directions.

Kulkarni decided to discuss the matter with his superior officers next day.

27

THE GOLD SYNDICATE

Seven such persons landed at Dubai international airport in a single day against whom the Interpol and the government of India had issued red alerts notices in the past. Some of them had been arrested and had passed a few years sentences in jails. Against others the alerts had been diluted or withdrawn since they were not active for a long time and could not be apprehended.

Sheikh sent seven BMW cars with escorts to receive them at the airport. They were driven to different five-star hotels and accommodated there.

They were told to join Sheikh at Le-meridian beach resort for lunch next day at 12-30pm.

Next day all members of the gold syndicate assembled at the appointed place at the appointed time. Beside Sheikh these members were Seth Gopichand, Satkari Baba, Koya, Hamja, Nadeem,Bahadur Thapa and Aslam.

Seth Gopichand, Satkari Baba, Koya and Hamja were from India, Nadeem from Nigeria, Bhadur Thapa from Nepal and Aslam was from Pakistan. All of them were knowing one another.

Earlier, Seth Gopichand had disassociated from the group because of differences with Nadeem and Aslam. These two were involved in the smuggling of narcotic drugs also beside gold. Seth did not like that.

They had a grand lunch together and refreshed their old memories. Every one of them was curious to know the reason behind the meeting. Sheikh did not say anything about this during lunch.

After lunch, he addressed them,”Friends you enjoy yourselves and relax today. I will invite you to my humble residence for dinner tomorrow. There, I we will discuss about our business.

All of them dispersed for the day. All have their own interests.

Seth Gopichand expressed the desire to see Burge-al-Arab. His escort took him there. He liked it. After this he preferred going to his hotel and rest. He got dropped there. His escort gave him his cell phone number and requested Seth to call him any time if he needed anything. Seth had nothing else in his mind, he allowed the escort to leave and closed the door of his hotel room.

28

PLAN OF GOLD SMUGGLING

Next evening from 8 pm all members of the gold syndicate had gathered in the banquet hall of the palace like residence of Sheikh Maqdoom.

The Sheikh had provided premium alcoholic drinks like Johny Walker, Shivas and Royal salute and costly beers for those who drank. All drank that day. Satkari Baba enjoyed the most.

The Dining table was full of various veg and non veg dishes.

While they were having drinks Satkari Baba asked Sheikh, “Sheikh what is the business about which you wanted to discuss.”

All became attentive to the Sheikh .He asked his servants , who were present there to leave.

Then he addressed the group, “Friends! Recently the Government of India has imposed some restrictions on imports of gold and increased customs duty on gold. Consequently the price of gold has become very high. We should take advantage of this situation. If we join together and do gold smuggling into India now we can earn a huge profit.”

Everybody nodded in agreement with his idea.

He added, “To start with I propose creating a capital for investment for which each of us will give money in equivalent to Indian rupees 50 crores. So we will be having 400 crores as working capital.”

This was not a big amount for them. All of them readily agreed.

The Sheikh was satisfied with their response. He elaborated, “For the past many years, the margin of profit on smuggling of gold was very less so it was not worth taking the risk. Most of the unorganized and organized smuggling of gold in this part of the world had stopped. India is the most gold sensitive country. As for long time gold smuggling into India had been negligible so Indian Customs and other revenue intelligence and law enforcement agency might not be focusing on this commodity. Their intelligence network also might have been complacent. Let us take advantage of this situation and strike gold before Government agencies become alert and smart. Many other individuals and gangs may be thinking the same. We may have to compete with them so it is better we start our operations as early as possible.”

Then followed the discussions regarding the distribution of responsibilities and methods of smuggling to be adopted. It was decided that Sheikh will handle the finances, Hamja will arrange the carriers of the smuggling metal. Koya will handle the buyers of smuggled gold in India. Seth will try to involve some government officials in facilitating their operation. Satkari Baba will keep the politicians and ministers in good humor should their support was needed.

It was decided that part of the money transfer will be done through Hawala and part will be carried by the laborers coming to Dubai from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan. Sheikh also took the responsibility of procuring gold and its packaging.

They also calculated the amount of gold the customs authorities might catch. How much they could afford loosing and how much profit they could earn despite that. They provided some fund for bribing and entertaining, useful and interested government officials to facilitate their business.

After this meeting all left with rich, greedy dreams in their eyes.

29

SATKARI BABA EXPOSED

I got the information about Satkari Baba’s visit to Dubai. I told this to Mr Kapoor. Mr Kapoor instructed a detective in Dubai to keep watch on Satkari Baba.

Before Satkari Baba returned to India, I received some interesting photographs and other information in my email sent by that agent.

In one photo Satkari Baba was playing with bikini clad foreign girls in a swimming pool of a hotel. In one other photo he was in jeans and tee shirt having drinks with a man. That man was Aslam from Pakistan and right hand man of the Don.

I felt a moral responsibility towards Harendra, who had trusted me. I knew the truth of His Guru and I had to tell him that to save him from further emotional and financial exploitation. I decided to go to Harendra’s residence.

When I reached there, Harendra welcomed me with a smile. He looked happy. Coincidentally Pummy and Shubhang were also present. Shubhang blushed, seeing me there. He came near me and touched my feet. He respected me as like his elder brother. Harendra and family were surprised, but very happy to know that I knew Shubhang personally.

Harendra told me that next week his guru was going to Dubai along with a group of his disciples for a spiritual discourse. He had been invited by some NRIs there. Satkari Baba was taking Harendra also to Dubai.

I knew I was going to give a shock to Harendra but I had to. I warned him that what I was going to show him might shock him so he should be mentally prepared.

I took out Satkari Baba’s photographs, and spread on the table before all. All were shocked.

It was very difficult for Harendra to believe those photos, but he had trust in me and he knew I was working with a detective agency. Knowing the truth about the Baba not only did he drop the idea of going to Dubai, but also decided never to have any relationship with Satkari Baba. I knew the breach of trust was quite painful for him.

30

KULKARNI MEETS COMMISSIONER

Kulkarni, after taking the permission, entered the chamber of the commissioner of customs Mumbai. He brought himself to attention before him and said, “Good morning sir!”

Commissioner answered, “Good morning, Mr Kulkarni! What is the matter? Please sit down.”

Kulkarni sat down. Commissioner asked him to speak. Kulkarni told him the information, which Yousuf had given him.

The Commissioner said to him, “I agree with you. Take all preventive measures. Anything do you want me to do at my level?

Kulkarni requested him, “I want a few more inspectors in my unit and a separate vehicle.”

The commissioner answered, “Kulkarni! As you know a board member is coming tomorrow and will be here for three days. All the vehicles and staff will be busy during this period. After his departure, I will consider your requirements.”

Kulkarni thanked him and came to his unit.

In the evening Yousuf phoned him to tell him that he had heard in the market that 5kg gold had been smuggled successfully by a party through the Mumbai international airport.

Kulkarni knew that it might be true. He also anticipated other law enforcement agencies to catch cases in his jurisdiction.

He was sure Krishnan must be having more information, but he would not share it.

Kulkarni was missing his old network. There was a time when he had a strong network of his loyal informers. He became a victim of the internal politics of the department and has been kept away from the mainstream for a long time. This has weakened and broken his resourceful network. Yousuf was able to provide vague information.

Kulkarni did not want to waste time. An idea came to his mind. First, he hesitated, but after some thought, he decided to implement it for the sake of the nation. He remembered his friend Major Chaco and decided to use his network for his anti-smuggling work.

31

ROLE OF KURRAM AND JIMMY

Khurram kept on working for Seth and became his close aide. Khurram and Jimmy were the most trusted employees of Seth Gopichand. He sent them to Dubai to assist in carrying out the plan of the gold syndicate. Sheikh, with the help of Humja had found people, mostly Indian laborers working in the gulf countries to carry gold to India for monetary benefit. Some small time smugglers, who were ready to take bigger risks were also roped in. The margin of profit on smuggled gold was so high that even casual passengers were tempted to bring in gold in small quantity and try to smuggle that. Many of these people were being caught by the customs.

Sheikh assigned Jimmy and Khurram to accompany two women travelling from Dubai to Mumbai. These two women were to smuggle 10 kg of gold biscuits.

As planned Jimmy and Khurram landed at Mumbai International Airport along with two Burqa clad young women by a Dubai airline flight. Jimmy Was carrying carrying 4 gold biscuits of 100 grams each concealed in the false bottom of his handbag. A few more people landed by the same flight carrying varying quantities of gold either hidden on their persons or concealed in their baggage. When Jimmy was waiting at the conveyer belt for his checked in baggage. A young man in red shirt came to him and showed a card to him.Jimmy had seen him in the plane. He was also a passenger. Jimmy had been told by Sheikh to hand over his handbag along with the gold to this man when he asks. Jimmy kept his handbag on the ground near that man and went to pick up his other bags, which had arrived in the hall over conveyer belt. That man picked up his bag and kept on his luggage trolley along with other bags.

After some time Jimmy, Khurram, two Burqa clad women and the man in red shirt moved towards the green channel.

When they were passing through the green channel and approaching the exit. The man in the red shirt was stopped by a customs officer, who was standing near the exit and observing the passengers.

Actually the customs department at the airport had been alerted and informed regarding that man giving his description that he was a smuggler and would be trying to smuggle gold.

He was taken to a red channel counter for checking. Jimmy and Khurram and the two ladies continued to walk and crossed the exit.

Outside the airport a man sent by Hamja was waiting for them. Ladies recognized him. He took the ladies to the parking area, where an Innova was parked for them. Jimmy and Khurram followed suit.

32

KULKARNI CALLS CHAKO

Kulkarni dialed Major Chako.

Chako lifted the phone,”Hello?”

Kulkarni,”Chako! Kulkarni speaking.”

Chako, “How are you? What news?

Kulkarni said,” I need your help.When can we meet.”

Chako, “Any time, dear. Tell me when, where do you want to meet me?”

Kulkarni answered,”In an hour I am reaching your office.”

Major Chako said , “All right.”

Instead of his personal or official car he decided to go in a taxi.

After an hour Kulkarni was with Chako in his office chamber. Outside the room at the entrance a red bulb was lit indicating that the boss was busy and not to be disturbed.

Kulkarni told Chako what Yousuf had told him and that he was expecting that big smuggling gangs may soon be involving them in the smuggling of gold. His network of informers was not strong. He wanted Chako to use his detective network for getting required intelligence inputs for himself. Kulkarni told Chako that he was ready to pay fees for this work.

Chako laughed and said, “I don’t charge my friends. If you get something from the government side for this work I don’t mind sharing.”

Kulkarni gave him twenty thousand rupees. Chako looked surprised. Kulkarni said, “This is from the office.”Chako kept that money in the drawer of his table.”

Kulkarni stood up,shook hands with Chako and left his room. Kulkarni was full of expectations.

Kulkarni returned to the office and went straight to the commissioner. He requested for twenty thousand rupees from the secret fund. Within no time commissioner arranged the money and gave him. He thanked the commissioner and came out of the office satisfied.

Commissioner knew Kulkarni’s past record.He understood Kulkarni was working on some thing big.But he chose not to ask any detail at that stage.

After about a week Kulkarni received an email from chako with an attached file. When he opened the attached file that was having a few photos and a map. In the map a place named fort Kochi at the Kerala coast was encircled in ink and was written may-15/14.

Major Chako sent me to Dubai for gathering intelligence as requested by Kulkarni. Soon I learnt about the Gold Syndicate. With the help of a local agent, I got Sheikh house bugged. I gathered vital information about the syndicate plans.

Soon Indian customs and other enforcement agencies were alerted. There were seizures of gold at various international airports.Gold had become the most favored item of smugglers.

The gold syndicate was operating from Dubai and was doing very well. Its confidence and greed both had increased. By experience they realized that the customs department and other agencies were focusing mostly on international airports. The Syndicate was watching the political developments also in India. India was holding the general election. There were chances of the ruling Congress party losing the election and Bhatiya Janata party was showing promise of coming to power with the majority under the leadership of its prime ministerial candidate Shri Narendra Modi. Nobody knew what policies the next government would follow. Before that happens the syndicate decided to play a big game. The syndicate decided to land a huge quantity of gold on the Indian coast. First landing, they planned of 100 kg gold at a place named Fortkochi of Cochin city at the coast of Kerala.

Members of the syndicate were alert and in touch with one another by phones and internet.They had divided the roles among themselves.

For this operation, they decided to make use of a ship named Ship K which was to sail from Jabel Ali port to Cochin in India. The Ship K had Nigerian, Indian, Bangladeshi and Pakistani crew members.

The syndicate was successful in including an officer and two other crew members in its plan. Sheikh employed old ways of enticing by wine, women and money to allure them.

According to the plan five wooden boxes containing 20kg gold biscuits in each were clandestinely loaded on that ship K. These boxes had to be unloaded into small fishing boats at a point in the sea near Cochin, before entering into the port. These fishing boats would land these boxes on Fortcochin beach and from there would be taken care of by Hamja and Koya.

The aforesaid detailed information was gathered by me keeping Seikh continuously on my radar. Chasing him like his shadow and eavesdropping him through the bug, which had been planted in the Seikh’s residence.

Every bit of information, I had been sending to Major Chako.

Major Chako had instructed me to reach Cochin before the ship K reaches there.

33

CHAKO’S INFORMATION

Major Chako passed the information to Kulkarni. Kulkarni informed and discussed with the Commissioner and requested him to allow him to go to Cochin

Commissioner talked to the commissioner of customs Cochin and told him about Superintendent R Kulkarni and his information regarding smuggling of gold through the coastal area of Cochin.

In the end he said, “I am sending Mr Kulkarni to Cochin. Please take care.”

On the appointed day Kulkarni reported to The Cochin commissioner. Cochin commissioner formed a team of the best of his officers to work out the information provided by Kulkarni.

Cochin team consisted of a superintendent, Mr Joseph, four inspectors and three armed guards. Joseph, Kulkarni and inspectors had their service revolvers.

Kulkarni called me also to be present during the operation.

According to the intelligence input provided by Kulkarni the Ship K was to arrive Cochin around 1am on May 15 and gold was to be unloaded from the ship into small boats in the sea before the Cochin harbor.

Kulkarni and Joseph planned not to disturb the smugglers in the sea as far as possible. They deployed a customs patrol boat with an inspector and a guard with arms with the instruction to keep watch on the ship K and on any activity around the ship and pass the information to the team on land. The team on land will keep watch in the coastal area around Fort Cochin, the place indicated in the map, which Kulkarni had received.

34

COCHIN OPERATION

Late in the night the Fort Cochin beach was a deserted place. A few fishing boats were idling in sea water near the coast. The strong wind was blowing across the beach. Sea wave fronts rushing towards the land and returning to the sea were sparkling white under the moonlight.

Kulkarni. Joseph and their team were hiding behind a few boulders and coconut trees and watching the beach and the sea front.

The suspected vessel Ship K was sighted at a few hundred meters away from the beach. They heard the starting sound of the motor boats. They saw two small fishing motorboats speeding from the coastal area towards the ship. The ship had cast anchor.

Two boats positioned themselves along one side of the ship. A few people appeared on the deck. With the help of ropes they lowered five wooden boxes into the fishing boats. Three boxes in one and two boxes in the other boat. Persons in the fishing boats untied the ropes from the boxes and turned the boats towards the beach.

When the boats reached near land two men came forward from the beach road side and one of them flashed torchlight twice in the direction of the boats. On reaching the beach boatmen lifted the adjustable shaft and grounded the boats on the wet sand.

These persons were Hamja and Koya, who came there to take the delivery of the gold.

Joseph heard the starting sound of a car from the road approaching the beach.

Hamja and Koya gave the directions to the boatmen and returned towards the road where their car was standing ready with a driver on the steering and engine running.

Kulkarni was becoming impatient. Joseph asked the team to be alert and wait for his signal.

There were four boatmen. They unloaded the boxes from the boats and kept on the beach sand. One of them lifted two boxes and kept on his head. The three took one box each. Their plan was to carry those boxes to the car waiting on the road.

As they started toward the car with the boxes, Joseph signaled to his team. Joseph ran toward them challenging them with his revolver. Three men in front dropped the boxes and raised their hands up. One man, who was still near the boat managed to take out his pistol and fired at Joseph. Joseph ducked and was saved by a narrow margin. That man threw the box into the boat pushed the boat into the water. He jumped inside the boat and rowed it a few meters away from the beach. Joseph fired a shot in the air, but he started the engine and sped away. Kulkarni and other members of the team also came forward and surrounded the three men from the boats.

The smuggler, who tried to escape did not know that the customs department’s boat had followed them and watching them from the water front. As he tried to escape, he found himself under the focus of a strong search light thrown on him from the customs’ boat. He heard a man shouting, “We are from customs,stop.”

He did not stop. He changed the direction of his boat and kept running. Customs’ boat chased him. The smuggler heard a fire sound of a gun. He had already fired at a customs officer. He now feared that customs officer might target him and shoot.

He stopped and raised his hands as a sign of surrender. A Customs patrol boat came near his boat. First, they transferred the box containing gold from his boat to their boat. Then they ordered him to move to the beach. He knew there was no use running away after losing the gold and when his partners had already been apprehended by the customs officers. He came back to the beach and surrendered before Kulkarni and Joseph, who had been watching the drama of the sea with their night vision binoculars.

All the smugglers were arrested and the five boxes, which were found to contain 20kg of gold biscuits each were seized along with their content

Next day newspapers and TV news were full of praise for the officers of customs who seized hundred kilograms of gold and arrested the smugglers. Newspapers published photographs of the team with the commissioner and other superior officers along with the seized gold. TV news channels also showed the visuals of the officers, seized gold and the smugglers.

I was nowhere in the picture. I did not want my identity to be exposed to all. I was happy and satisfied with the fact that I could do something for the nation.

35

KHURRAM RETURNS

Seizure of 100 kg gold was a setback for the syndicate. They decided to suspend their activities for some time.

As in the syndicate there was pooling of money by its members, this loss was not so big for individual members of the syndicate.

Khurram went underground for some time, but he remained in touch with Seth Gopichand. A few days ago Seth had sent him to Surat to recover 10 lakhs due from a party with the instruction that he must return before Devang’s marriage.

Seth was waiting for his call.

Finally Khurram called him and informed him that he had recovered the amount and he would directly reach Gwalior where the marriage party was about to go. Seth was satisfied.

Seth’s elder son Devang’s marriage was done with great pomp and show.

After a few weeks after Devang’s marriage Shubhang told his family about Pummy and expressed his desire to marry her. Seth and his family had no objection.

Next month Shubhang and Pummy tied the nuptial knot and were happy.

My family members also pressurized me for getting married, but I could not forget Shaliny.

I don’t know that a few pages in my story may remain empty for a few days, a few months, a few years or for my full life or maybe they get written shortly.

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